Injured Osemele fined by Jets for not practicing as standoff heats up

The surgery standoff between Kelechi Osemele and the New York Jets has escalated.

The left guard was fined Saturday for conduct detrimental to the team after he did not practice, according to a source.

Osemele says he needs a season-ending shoulder operation and is waiting for the team to authorize the procedure. The team, however, wants him on the field.

Osemele was told by the Jets he would face disciplinary action Saturday if he did not take the field with his teammates. After not doing so, he was fined an undisclosed amount by the organization, according to the source, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team did not announce the discipline.

Osemele’s agent, Andrew Kessler, told the AP he and his client “will respond accordingly and continue to do everything the right way.”

Osemele said Friday that the team doctor and an independent doctor in California both recommended the surgery for a torn labrum. But another person with knowledge of the situation told the AP on Friday that both doctors determined it is actually a pre-existing injury and cleared Osemele to play through the injury.

“There’s no avoiding it,” Osemele said of the surgery, adding that he doesn’t have the strength in his shoulder to block. “It’s torn, so until it’s fixed, I can’t really do anything.”

The two-time Pro Bowl selection who was acquired from Oakland in March said he was initially hurt on Aug. 5 during training camp and re-injured his shoulder at New England on Sept. 22. He hasn’t played or practiced since.

“It’s been killing me,” Osemele said. “I’m just trying to get this done. I’ve done everything I can.”

Alex Lewis has started at left guard in Osemele’s place the last two games.

In an email Friday to the AP, Kessler said the Jets aren’t handling Osemele’s situation correctly.

“He has been advised by the second-opinion doctor that the timing of the need for surgery is based on his symptoms,” Kessler said. “His symptoms currently dictate that he needs surgery. For the team to question the integrity of how he has told them he is physically feeling is disappointing, to say the least.

“It is hardly putting a priority on player safety.” Osemele is listed as doubtful for the game Monday night against New England.

Titans’ first-round pick Simmons ready for debut

The Tennessee Titans activated first-round draft pick Jeffery Simmons, giving him a chance to make his NFL debut today against the Chargers.

The team moved the defensive tackle from the nonfootball injury list to the 53-man roster Saturday. The Titans also promoted outside linebacker Derick Roberson to the active roster from the practice squad.

To clear space, the Titans waived defensive linemen Brent Urban and Matt Dickerson.

Tennessee made the 6-foot-4 Simmons its top pick after the defensive tackle from Mississippi State fell from a projected top 10 selection to 19. He tore his left ACL in February and was expected to miss the 2019 season. But Simmons recovered quickly and started practicing with the Titans on Wednesday.